SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Despite bringing a 19-point deficit down to just four in the third quarter, the Slippery Rock University women's basketball team was defeated by Mercyhurst University, 66-41, Wednesday at Morrow Field House.
 
With the loss, The Rock comes away with a record of 2-15 overall and 2-12 in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference play. The Lakers picked up their second win in five games, improving to 14-6 on the season and 10-4 within the PSAC.
 
By contributing 16 points as Slippery Rock's leading scorer, Regan Atkins moved into the top 10 among all freshman scoring in SRU history. The first-year player also recorded four rebounds and a squad-high two assists in the loss.
 
Kristina Donza rallied 10 points, two rebounds and a steal while Deryn Moye chipped in with seven points on the night. Anye Washington registered a team-best two steals in addition to her two points, three rebounds and one assist.
 
Endya Robinson logged five rebounds in her time on the court, leading SRU on the boards while also creating one steal.
 
Atkins, Donza and Kaylin Venick were the only SRU players to score in the first quarter as The Rock fell behind to a 14-6 difference after the opening 10 minutes.
 
Mercyhurst's momentum carried into the following 3:20, opening up a 21-6 lead over Slippery Rock. While Slippery Rock was able to hoist up two of its three 3-pointers in the second quarter courtesy of Atkins and Donza, the Lakers enjoyed a 32-13 lead with 2:32 to play in the first half.
 
The Rock opened the second half by drawing five rapid fouls within the first 3:38. Despite a near-immediate entrance into the bonus, SRU was unable to get to the free throw line in the remainder of the quarter.
 
Slippery Rock did, however, go on to shoot 60 percent (3-of-5) for the rest of the third period. Accompanied with the five points it had scored in the first 2:30 of the second half, Slippery Rock managed to cut Mercyhurst's once-19-point lead down to a 37-33 difference with 4:16 to play in the quarter.
 
Mercyhurst ended the third quarter with a 48-33 lead after making seven free throws of its own in the final 1:51 before outscoring SRU in the fourth quarter, 18-8, avoiding the road loss.
 
The Lakers were steered in large part by Bailey Kuhns' 21 points and Danielle Grim's 14 points and five rebounds. Grim also accounted for four of Mercyhurst's 14 steals.
 
SRU ended up shooting 13-of-40 (.325) from the floor and 3-of-13 (.231) from 3-point distance as opposed to Mercyhurst's 23-of-47 (.489) total shooting and 4-of-12 (.333) beyond the 3-point arc.
 
The Lakers likewise had the better of the night in free throw shooting going 16-of-18 (.889) over The Rock's 12-of-16 (.750) showing at the charity stripe. Seven of Slippery Rock's 12 free throws came via Atkins, who finished the game 7-of-8 (.875) at the line.
 
The Rock will remain home to begin the second half of its PSAC West schedule 1 p.m. Saturday hosting Seton Hill University.




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